Armenia national team head coach Yeghishe Melikyan has stated that he will make every effort to bring Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to the squad. He made the remarks in an interview with Petros Ghazaryan on Public Television.
Melikyan said he remains in regular contact with the player.
“I’ve spoken with him, though I can’t reveal details. I will definitely try to bring him back. I don’t yet know his concrete opinion, but I will know more once we meet. I want to go to Italy, sit down with him, and talk. I will definitely try to bring him back,” the coach said.
He also emphasized that he has criticized the Football Federation, pointing out mistakes, but never said he would refuse to coach the national team. “I didn’t come to work for the federation—I came to work for the national team. My workplace is the locker room,” he noted.
Melikyan added that he has not yet had an in-depth discussion with the leadership of the Football Federation of Armenia, but such a meeting will certainly take place.
For now, he said his priority is restoring the team’s atmosphere, raising fighting spirit, and strengthening faith and commitment—requirements he has clearly set before the players.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan announced his retirement in 2022. In an interview this past June, he said he would not return to the national team.
